Course Syllabus

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FES4224

Course Syllabus

Course Information

The course covers systematic approaches to triage, treatment, and transport in response to large-scale EMS incidents. Resource planning, including coordination with hospital systems, is also stressed.

Credit Hours: 3

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Distinguish the categories of incidents that lead to mass casualties.
  2. Appraise the ability to calculate levels of risk and severity for potential incidents.
  3. Determine the process to develop contingency plans for mass casualty incidents.
  4. Appraise the nation’s emergency medical systems and their resources.
  5. Evaluate the ability of communities to conduct EMS capability assessments.
  6. Formulate a process to access additional EMS resources via the comprehensive emergency management plan.
  7. Interpret the powers and functions of public health officers at the local, state, and Federal levels.

Course Requirements

Required Textbook

There is no required textbook. The following resources are recommended but not required.

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). American Psychological Association.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course. 

Minimum Technology Requirements

The University of Florida expects students entering an online program to acquire computer hardware and software appropriate to their degree program. Most computers are capable of meeting the following general requirements. A student’s computer configuration should include:

  • Webcam
  • Microphone
  • Broadband connection to the internet and related equipment (cable/DSL modem)
  • Microsoft Office Suite installed (provided by the university)

Minimum Technical Skills

To complete your tasks in this course, you will need a basic understanding of operating a computer and using word processing software.

Materials/Supply Fees

There is no supply fee for this course.

Zoom

Zoom is an easy-to-use video conferencing service available to all UF students, faculty, and staff that allows for meetings of up to 100 participants.

You can find resources and help using Zoom at the University of Florida's Zoom website.

Course Policies

Course Communications

There is a general discussion tab that can be used, or send me an email through the course email. I will answer all emails within 24 hours. Urgent messages can be sent to me directly at chris.reynolds@ufl.edu. You can also call me at 813-309-1948.

Attendance Policy

The course is designed in module format. You should check the site at least once a week. You are required to complete the assignments, including discussion questions, within the time period designated in the module. There will be meetings set up throughout the course. Requirements for class attendance in this course are consistent with university policies that can be found on UF's Attendance Policies website.

Quiz & Exam Policy

There is a final project for this course. There are no exams.

Assignment Policy

All assignments have a due date.  Please be sure to check the date and time it is due in each module or discussion.

Make-up Work Policy

Make-up assignments will only be accepted due to technical issues, illness, and other extenuating circumstances. You must contact your instructor before the assignment's due date for special accommodations.

Any requests for make-ups due to technical issues MUST be accompanied by the ticket number received from the UF Computing Help Desk when the problem was reported to them. The ticket number will document the time and date of the problem. You must message your instructor within 24 hours of the technical difficulty if you wish to request a make-up.

Late Assignment & Discussion Policy

Please note that any student with less than 75% of their work completed for the semester cannot earn an “I” contract. If you have 75% of the work completed, you can propose an “I” contract to the instructor.

  • Assignments up to 48 hours late from the due date will receive a 10% deduction in their grade.
  • Assignments more than 48 hours but less than 30 days late from the due date will receive a 20% deduction in their grade.
  • Assignments that are more than 30 days late from the due date but submitted during the semester will receive a 50% deduction in their grade.
  • All outstanding work must be submitted two weeks prior to the end of the semester.  No outstanding work will be accepted after this time.

Requirements for make-up exams, assignments, and other work in this course are consistent with university policies that can be found on UF's Attendance Policies website.

As this is an online class, you are responsible for observing all posted due dates and are encouraged to be self-directed and take responsibility for your learning.

Grading Policy

The grade is based on a point system. Refer to the rubric assigned to each discussion post/assignment/final project for complete details on how the discussion post/assignment/final project will be graded. Grading will occur as soon as possible; however, it should be noted that grading may take up to two weeks depending on the course load placed on the instructor as well as other university obligations (e.g., Travel, Conferences, Training, etc...) placed on the instructor.

Course Grading Policy

Assignment Points
Discussions 250
Assignments 400
Final Project 100
Total 750

See the current UF grading policies for more information.

UF Policies

University Policy on Accommodating Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities requesting accommodations should first register with the Disability Resource Center (352-392-8565) by providing appropriate documentation. Once registered, students will receive an accommodation letter that must be presented to the instructor when requesting accommodation. Students with disabilities should follow this procedure as early as possible in the semester.

University Policy on Academic Conduct

UF students are bound by The Honor Pledge, which states, “We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity by abiding by the Honor Code." On all work submitted for credit by students at the University of Florida, the following pledge is either required or implied: "On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment." The Student Honor Code and Student Conduct Code specifies a number of behaviors that are in violation of this code and the possible sanctions. Furthermore, you are obligated to report any condition that facilitates academic misconduct to appropriate personnel. If you have any questions or concerns, please consult with the instructor or TAs in this class.

Plagiarism

The Student Honor Code and Student Conduct Code states that:

"A Student must not represent as the Student’s own work all or any portion of the work of another. Plagiarism includes but is not limited to:

  • Stealing, misquoting, insufficiently paraphrasing, or patch-writing.
  • Self-plagiarism, which is the reuse of the Student’s own submitted work, or the simultaneous submission of the Student’s own work, without the full and clear acknowledgment and permission of the Faculty to whom it is submitted.
  • Submitting materials from any source without proper attribution.
  • Submitting a document, assignment, or material that, in whole or in part, is identical or substantially identical to a document or assignment the Student did not author."

Course Evaluations

Students are expected to provide professional and respectful feedback on the quality of instruction in this course by completing course evaluations online via GatorEvals. Guidance on how to give feedback in a professional and respectful manner is available on the GatorEvals Providing Constructive Feedback FAQ page. Students will be notified when the evaluation period opens and can complete evaluations through the email they receive from GatorEvals, in their Canvas course menu under GatorEvals, or via the GatorEvals website. Summaries of course evaluation results are available to students at the GatorEvals Public Results page. More information about UF's course evaluation system can be found at the GatorEvals Faculty Evaluations website.

Netiquette and Communication Courtesy

It is important to recognize that the online classroom is in fact a classroom, and certain behaviors are expected when you communicate with both your peers and your instructors. These guidelines for online behavior and interaction are known as netiquette.

Security

Remember that your password is the only thing protecting you from pranks or more serious harm.

  • Don't share your password with anyone.
  • Change your password if you think someone else might know it.
  • Always log out when you are finished using the system.

General Guidelines

When communicating online:

  • Treat the instructor with respect, even via email or in any other online communication.
  • Always use your professors’ proper title: Dr. or Prof., or if you are unsure, use Mr. or Ms.
  • Unless specifically invited, don’t refer to a professor by their first name.
  • Use clear and concise language.
  • Remember that all college-level communication should have correct spelling and grammar.
  • Avoid slang terms such as “wassup?” and texting abbreviations such as “u” instead of “you.”
  • Use standard fonts such as Times New Roman and use a size 12 or 14-point font.
  • Avoid using the caps lock feature, AS IT CAN BE INTERPRETED AS YELLING.
  • Limit and possibly avoid the use of emoticons like :) .
  • Be cautious when using humor or sarcasm, as tone is sometimes lost in an email or discussion post, and your message might be taken seriously or be construed as being offensive.
  • Be careful with personal information (both yours and others).
  • Do not send confidential information via email.

Email

When you send an email to your instructor, teaching assistant, or classmates:

  • Use a descriptive subject line.
  • Be brief.
  • Avoid attachments unless you are sure your recipients can open them.
  • Avoid HTML in favor of plain text.
  • Sign your message with your name and return email address.
  • Think before you send the email to more than one person. Does everyone really need to see your message?
  • Be sure you REALLY want everyone to receive your response when you click, “Reply All.”
  • Be sure that the message author intended for the information to be passed along before you click the “Forward” button.

Discussion Boards

When posting on the discussion board in your online class:

  • Check to see if anyone already asked your question and received a reply before posting to the discussion board.
  • Remember your manners and say please and thank you when asking something of your classmates or instructor.
  • Be open-minded.
  • If you ask a question and many people respond, summarize all posts for the benefit of the class.
  • When posting:
    • Make posts that are on-topic and within the scope of the course material.
    • Be sure to read all messages in a thread before replying.
    • Be as brief as possible while still making a thorough comment.
    • Don’t repeat someone else’s post without adding something of your own to it.
    • Take your posts seriously. Review and edit your posts before sending.
    • Avoid short, generic replies such as, “I agree.” You should include why you agree or add to the previous point.
    • If you refer to something that was said in an earlier post, quote a few key lines so readers do not have to go back and figure out which post you are referring to.
    • Always give proper credit when referencing or quoting another source.
    • If you reply to a classmate’s question make sure your answer is correct, don’t guess.
    • Always be respectful of others’ opinions even when they differ from your own.
    • When you disagree with someone, you should express your differing opinion in a respectful, non-critical way.
    • Do not make personal or insulting remarks.
    • Do not write anything sarcastic or angry; it always backfires.
    • Do not type in ALL CAPS, if you do IT WILL LOOK LIKE YOU ARE YELLING.

Zoom

When attending a Zoom class or meeting:

  • Do not share your Zoom classroom link or password with others.
  • Even though you may be alone at home, your professor and classmates can see you! While attending class in your pajamas is tempting, remember that wearing clothing is not optional. Dress appropriately.
  • Your professor and classmates can also see what is behind you, so be aware of your surroundings.
  • Make sure the background is not distracting or something you would not want your classmates to see.
    • When in doubt use a virtual background. If you choose to use one, you should test the background out first to make sure your device can support it.
    • Your background can express your personality, but be sure to avoid using backgrounds that may contain offensive images and language.
  • Mute is your friend, especially when you are in a location that can be noisy. Don’t leave your microphone open if you don’t have to.
  • If you want to speak, you can raise your hand (click the “raise hand” button at the center bottom of your screen) and wait to be called upon.

Getting Help

Technical Difficulties

For help with technical issues or difficulties with Canvas, please contact the UF Computing Help Desk at:

Any requests for make-ups (assignments, exams, etc.) due to technical issues should be accompanied by the ticket number received from the UF Computing Help Desk when the problem was reported to them. The ticket number will document the time and date of the problem. You should email your instructor within 24 hours of the technical difficulty if you wish to request a make-up.

Health and Wellness

  • U Matter, We Care: If you or someone you know is in distress, please email umatter@ufl.edu, call 352-392-1575, or visit U Matter We Care to refer or report a concern, and a team member will reach out to the student in distress.
  • Counseling and Wellness Center: Visit the UF Counseling & Wellness Center website or call 352-392-1575 for information on crisis services and non-crisis services.
  • Student Health Care Center: Call 352-392-1161 for 24/7 information to help you find the care you need, or visit the UF Student Health Care Center website.
  • University Police Department: Visit the UF Police Department website or call 352-392-1111 (or 9-1-1 for emergencies).
  • UF Health Shands Emergency Room/Trauma Center: For immediate medical care in Gainesville, call 352-733-0111, or go to the emergency room at 1515 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608; Visit the UF Health Shands Emergency Room/Trauma Center website.

Academic and Student Support

Privacy and Accessibility Policies

For information about the privacy policies of the tools used in this course, see the links below: 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due